Special to the Opelika Observer
Jack, a retriever mix who was recently adopted from Opelika’s Animal Health Center, enjoying the dog days of summer.
Local dog enjoying big city life in Chicago
By Anna-Claire Terry
Staff Reporter
A dog who awaited adoption in Opelika for nearly three years recently found a happy ending and a new foster home in Chicago. Jack, a large retriever mix weighing in at almost 80 pounds, was brought in to Dr. Buddy Bruce’s office when his elderly owner was no longer to care for him. Bruce treated Jack for heart worms, and the dog quickly became a cherished resident of the clinic. “He was part of the office,” Bruce said.
The staff at Animal Health Center was told that Jack was an older dog who was about seven or eight years old. Upon further investigation, with the help of the Lee County Humane Society, his microchip was tracked back to LCHS. Ironically, Jack was originally adopted from LCHS at eight weeks old. As it turns out, Jack was not seven years old, but one year old. This explained a lot about his high energy level. The Humane Society’s interest in Jack was sparked when Hannah Jones, and employee of LCHS, visited Bruce’s office in hopes of finding the surrendered dogs there a happy home. She brought along Jacquie Cobb, an Auburn University student and president of a rescue group based out of Chicago. Cobb had helped LCHS home several dogs and was eager to meet Jack. “Jack jumped up and licked Jacquie on the face, and she was sold on him,” Jones said. “We could tell that Dr. Bruce and his staff really cared a lot about Jack. They were all taking pictures of him before he left for Chicago. They were so happy for him.”
According to Bruce and Jones, Jack was a friendly dog who was thrilled to see anyone who came into the office. He had a habit of letting his excitement get the best of him and jumping on people to give them a big, welcoming embrace. Bruce said this could be why it took a while for Jack to be adopted. Jones described Jack as “happy, go-lucky” and said a few other reasons such an outgoing dog could have been overlooked was his bout with heart worms and his color. “People hear ‘heart worms’ and automatically think that the dog can’t be healthy after being treated, and people don’t adopt black animals much. Black is the most commonly euthanized color of animals,” Jones said. She added that Jack gets along well with other dogs and cats. “He became best friends with his kennel mate Isaiah, and that’s rare to be able to put two male dogs in a kennel together without any fights,” she said. Jack and Isaiah were inseparable, and Isaiah made the journey to Chicago with him.
Jack now spends his days enjoying the city life and playing with his new friends at the rescue group headquarters. He is showcased at adoption events every weekend. Although he is missed in Opelika, Jones and others feel confident that his personality will win him a forever home in Chicago.